JP6855439B2 - Liquid containment system for replenishing aerosol delivery devices - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure discloses an aerosol delivery device, more specifically, an aerosol delivery device, such as a smoking device (eg, a smoking device commonly referred to as an electronic cigarette) that can utilize the electronically generated heat for producing an aerosol. With respect to systems and methods for safely replenishing aerosol precursor compositions. Smoking utensils are configured to heat aerosol precursors and either consist of tobacco or incorporate tobacco-derived materials, or otherwise incorporate tobacco, the precursors being inhalable for human consumption. It is possible to form a substance.

Many smoking devices have long been proposed as improvements or alternatives to smoking products that require the burning of cigarettes for use. Many of these devices have been designed to provide the sensation associated with smoking tobacco, cigars or pipes, but not to release significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from the burning of tobacco. To achieve this goal, use electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile materials or to provide the sensation of smoking tobacco, cigars or pipes without burning tobacco to a significant extent. Many smoking products, scent generators and medicated inhalers have been proposed. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr et al., And U.S. Patent Application Publication to Sears et al., All of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. See various alternative smoking devices, aerosol delivery devices and heat sources identified in the background art described in 2014/0906781. Also referenced by brand name and commercial source in US Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 against Bress et al., Filed on February 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. See also various types of smoking equipment, aerosol delivery devices and electrically driven heat sources. In addition, US Pat. No. 5,505,214 to Collins et al., US Pat. No. 5,894,841 to Voges, and US Pat. No. 6,772 to Shayan, all incorporated herein by reference. Other types of smoking equipment have been proposed in 756, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0196518 for Hon, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0267031 for Hon, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/716204 for Minskoff et al. There is.

Continued development in the field of aerosol delivery devices has resulted in the provision of replenishable reservoirs for use in the aerosol delivery device in a confined state of the aerosol precursor composition, which replenishable reservoirs are aerosols. The delivery device is configured to be reusable. However, replenishment of such reservoirs can often cause the user to be at risk for the aerosol precursor composition. For this reason, there is a need for systems and methods for safely replenishing aerosol delivery devices with aerosol precursor compositions.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0996781 U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,214 U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,841 U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0196518 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0267031 U.S. Patent Application No. 14/716204

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. Therefore, the present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following examples.

Example 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising a housing coupled to an adapter and a heating element housed within the housing. The housing defines a refillable reservoir for storing the aerosol precursor composition. The heating element activates and vaporizes the components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to the flow of air through at least a portion of the housing, and the air can be combined with the vapor formed thereby to form the aerosol. It is configured as follows. The adapter is removable and hermetically connectable to a container for refilling the reservoir with the aerosol precursor composition. The adapter is configured to engage the valve of the container during reservoir refill. The adapter includes a separate body that defines a separate filling port and airflow port. The filling port transfers the aerosol precursor composition from the vessel to the reservoir during engagement of the adapter with the valve, where the airflow port is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. Is for. The airflow port is for the flow of air through at least a portion of the housing when the adapter and valve are disengaged.

Example 2: The valve comprises a push-down valve body that includes a first valve member and a second valve member, and when the valve body is pushed down, the first valve member is an aerosol precursor in the vessel. The delivery device is for opening a passage to the composition and the second valve member is for closing the airflow port, the aerosol delivery device of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any of them. combination.

Example 3: The airflow port defines an inner cavity sized to internally receive at least a conforming portion of the second valve member, any delivery device of the above or any subsequent example of an aerosol delivery device. , Or any combination of them.

Example 4: The body comprises an adapter protrusion defining an airflow port, the container comprises a nozzle in which the valve is movably positioned internally, and the nozzle is of the valve when the adapter and the valve are disengaged. The above or any subsequent embodiment of any delivery device comprising a cavity that receives at least a portion internally and is sized to internally accept the adapter protrusion when the adapter and valve are engaged. Aerosol delivery device, or any combination thereof.

Example 5: The nozzle comprises a spout for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the reservoir, and the filling port is sized to receive the spout when the adapter and valve are engaged. Any delivery device, the aerosol delivery device of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any combination thereof.

Example 6: The adapter is connected to a filling port and further comprises a check valve configured to allow the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the reservoir, any delivery device above or any subsequent. The aerosol delivery device of the embodiment, or any combination thereof.

Example 7: The aerosol delivery device is a mouthpiece of any delivery device further comprising a mouthpiece that is detachably coupled to a housing on the adapter so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the mouthpiece. The aerosol delivery device of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any combination thereof.

Example 8: The mouthpiece is a detachable mouthpiece that includes two tabs, allowing the detachable mouthpiece to rotate by pressing these two tabs at the same time, thereby disengaging from the housing. Any delivery device The aerosol delivery device of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any combination thereof.

Example 9: Any delivery device of any delivery device above or any subsequent embodiment, wherein the adapter further includes a matching tab of the container and a matable slot so that the adapter is aligned with the container for connection with the container. Aerosol delivery device, or any combination thereof.

Example 10: A container for an aerosol precursor composition for replenishing an aerosol delivery device, comprising a housing defining a reservoir for storing the aerosol precursor composition and an adapter attached to the housing. The adapter is removable and hermetically connectable to the aerosol delivery device so as to allow the aerosol delivery device to be replenished with the aerosol precursor composition. The adapter includes a valve configured to engage the aerosol delivery device during refilling of the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device defines a separate fill port and airflow port, and the fill port is a valve and aerosol delivery in which the airflow port is closed by a valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. For the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir during engagement with the device into the aerosol delivery device, the airflow port is the aerosol delivery device when the valve and the aerosol delivery device are disengaged. For the flow of air through at least a portion of the aerosol.

Example 11: In some embodiments of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any combination thereof, the valve is a push-down valve body that includes a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member is for opening a passage to the aerosol precursor composition in the reservoir and the second valve member is for closing the airflow port when the valve body is pushed down. belongs to.

Example 12: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some embodiments of any combination of them, the airflow port defines an inner cavity and the second valve member is a conforming portion. The inner cavity is sized to internally accept at least a conforming portion of the second valve member.

Example 13: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some embodiments of any combination of them, the aerosol delivery device comprises an adapter protrusion defining an airflow port, the vessel. Includes a nozzle in which the valve is movably positioned internally, the nozzle receives at least a portion of the valve internally when the adapter and aerosol delivery device are disengaged, and the adapter and aerosol delivery device are engaged. Includes a cavity sized to internally accept the adapter protrusion when

Example 14: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some examples of containers of any combination thereof, the nozzle is the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir into the aerosol delivery device. The filling port is sized to receive the spout when the adapter and valve are engaged, including a spout for.

Example 15: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some examples of containers of any combination thereof, the nozzle transfers the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir into the aerosol delivery device. Define one or more liquid ports configured to tolerate.

Example 16: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some examples of containers of any combination thereof, on the adapter, which is the cap so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the cap. Also equipped with a cap that is detachably connected to the housing.

Example 17: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some examples of containers of any combination thereof, the cap is a detachable resistant cap comprising two tabs, these two. Pressing the tabs at the same time rotates the removal resistant cap, which allows it to be removed from the housing.

Example 18: In any of the above or any subsequent embodiments, or in some examples of containers of any combination thereof, the adapter aligns the adapter with the aerosol delivery device for connection with the aerosol delivery device. It also includes a matable tab with a compatible slot for the aerosol delivery device so that it can be fitted.

Example 19: A method for implementing a liquid containment system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device. The method is to detachably and sealably connect the adapter of the aerosol delivery device to the corresponding adapter of the container for refilling the aerosol delivery device with the aerosol precursor composition, the adapter of the corresponding adapter. Engaging with the valve, the adapter includes a body that defines a separate filled airflow port, which is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. For the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container during engagement with the adapter and the valve into the aerosol delivery device, the airflow port delivers the aerosol when the adapter and the valve are disengaged. Includes connecting, which is for the flow of air through at least a portion of the device. The method also comprises transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device.

20: In some embodiments of the above or any subsequent embodiment, or any combination thereof, the valve comprises a valve body that is pushed down when the adapter is connected to the corresponding adapter. The valve body includes a first valve member and a second valve member, and when the valve body is pushed down, the first valve member opens a passage to the aerosol precursor composition in the vessel and the second. Valve member closes the airflow port.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings briefly described below. The present disclosure is any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements manifested in the present disclosure, wherein these features or elements are explicitly combined or otherwise herein. Included, whether or not listed in the particular embodiments described in. The present disclosure is intended that any separable feature or element of the present disclosure may be combined in any aspect and embodiment thereof, i.e., unless the context of the present disclosure is otherwise expressly specified. It is intended to be read holistically as it should be seen as.

It will therefore be acknowledged that this brief summary is provided solely for the purpose of summarizing some embodiments, in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be acknowledged that the above examples are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or concept of the present disclosure. Other embodiments, embodiments and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings exemplifying the principles of some of the embodiments described by the method of the example.

Although the present disclosure has been described as an example in the general section above, the accompanying drawings will be referred to here, which need not be drawn to the exact scale.

An aerosol delivery device comprising a tank attached to a control body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. FIG. 5 is a partial cut-out view of an aerosol delivery device according to various embodiments that may correspond to the aerosol delivery device of FIG. An example is a container of an aerosol precursor composition containing a reservoir according to an example of the present disclosure. An aerosol delivery device comprising a removable mouthpiece according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. An aerosol delivery device comprising a removable mouthpiece according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. An adapter for receiving an aerosol precursor composition within an aerosol delivery device according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. An adapter for receiving an aerosol precursor composition within an aerosol delivery device according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. FIG. 5 is a partial cut-out view of an adapter for receiving an aerosol precursor composition within an aerosol delivery device, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 4A and 4B. An adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. An adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. FIG. 5 is a partial cut-out view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 5 is a partial cut-out view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an adapter for transferring an aerosol precursor composition from within a container, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 7A and 7B. Exploded view of the container of FIG. 3 and the container for replenishing the aerosol delivery device, including the adapter for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from within the container, according to various embodiments that may correspond to the adapters of FIGS. 7A and 7B. Is. An example is a liquid containment system for replenishing an aerosol delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a partial cut-out view of a liquid containment system for replenishing an aerosol delivery device according to various embodiments that may correspond to the liquid containment system of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cut-out view of a liquid containment system for replenishing an aerosol delivery device according to various embodiments that may correspond to the liquid containment system of FIG. The various operations of the method for implementing a replenishable aerosol delivery device and a liquid containment system for use according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to its embodiments. These examples will be described so that the present disclosure is thoroughly completed and the scope of the present disclosure will be fully communicated to those skilled in the art. In fact, this disclosure may be embodied in many different ways and should not be construed as being limited to the practices manifested herein, rather these practices are applicable to this disclosure. It is provided to meet the legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the articles "a", "an", "the", etc. include multiple references unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise.

As described below, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery systems. The aerosol delivery system according to the present disclosure uses electrical energy to heat the material to form an inhalable material (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent and / or of the material. (Without significant chemical alterations), the components of such a system most preferably have the form of an article that is sufficiently compact in consideration of portable devices. That is, the use of the components of the preferred aerosol delivery system does not result in the production of smoke in the sense that the aerosol comes primarily from the combustion or thermal decomposition by-products of tobacco, but rather the use of these preferred systems results. , Resulting in the production of vapors resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some embodiments, the components of the aerosol delivery system can be characterized as e-cigarettes, which most preferably incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components, and thus tobacco in the form of an aerosol. Deliver the derived component.

The aerosol-generating portion of certain preferred aerosol delivery systems is often used by igniting and burning tobacco, without any substantial degree of combustion of any of its constituents, smoking tobacco, cigars or pipes. Can provide sensations such as inhalation and exhalation, taste or scent type, sensory effects, physical sensations, usage, visual mood as provided by the visual inspection of aerosols, etc. For example, a user of an aerosol-generating portion of the present disclosure may hold and use that portion in much the same way that a smoker uses conventional types of smoking equipment, for inhalation of the aerosol produced by that portion. Smoke one end of that part and take a dose or inhale at selected time intervals.

The aerosol delivery system of the present disclosure can also be characterized as a vaporizer or drug delivery tool. Thus, such articles or devices may be adapted to provide one or more substances (eg, flavors and / or pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or condition. For example, an inhalable substance can be substantially in the form of a vapor (ie, a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable material can be in the form of an aerosol (ie, a suspension of solid particles or droplets in a gas). For the purposes of simplification, the term "aerosol" is used herein by humans, whether visible or not, and whether in a form that can be considered like smoke. Means include vapors, gases and aerosols of the form or type suitable for inhalation of.

The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure generally includes a plurality of components provided within an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell is modifiable, and the form or configuration of the outer body that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device is modifiable. For some aerosol delivery devices, a long body that resembles the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single integral housing, or the long housing may be formed from two or more separable bodies. You may. For example, the aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated outer shell or body that is substantially tubular and may have a shape similar to that of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one practice, all components of the aerosol delivery device are housed in a single housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may include two or more housings that are connected and separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device is a control body having a housing at one end that houses one or more reusable components (eg, a rechargeable battery and various electronic components for controlling the operation of the article). At the other end, it may hold an outer body or shell containing a portion containing one or more aerosol precursor compositions, such as a fragrance and an aerosol-forming body, which is detachably attached thereto. In various practices, this portion can be a disposable portion (eg, a disposable cartridge) or a refillable portion (eg, a refillable tank).

The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure is not substantially tubular, but can be formed from an outer housing or outer shell that can be formed to substantially larger dimensions. The housing or outer shell may be configured to include a mouthpiece and / or may contain consumable elements such as a liquid aerosol-forming body and accept a separate outer shell (eg, cartridge, tank) which may include a vaporizer. Can be configured as

The aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure most preferably include several combinations of drive sources (ie, power supplies), at least one control component (eg, from the power source to other components of the article, eg, individual or microcontrollers). Means for actuating, controlling, adjusting and stopping power for heat generation, such as by controlling the flow of current to the microprocessor as part of a heater or heat generating member (eg, alone or 1). Electrical resistance heating elements or other components, commonly referred to as "sprayers" in combination with one or more additional elements), aerosol precursor compositions (eg, generally "smoke juice", "e". Liquids that can generally result in aerosols upon application of sufficient heat, such as components called "liquids" and "e-juices"), and mouths to allow the aerosol delivery device to be inhaled for aerosol inhalation. It comprises an end region or tip (eg, a defined air flow path through the article so that the generated aerosol can be inhaled from it upon inhalation).

More specific forms, configurations and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery system of the present disclosure will become apparent in the light of further disclosure provided below. In addition, the selection and placement of various aerosol delivery system components may be acknowledged in the discussion of commercially available aerosol delivery devices such as these representative products referred to in the Background Techniques section of the present disclosure. ..

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 100 including a controller 102 and a tank 104 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates controls and tanks connected to each other. The controls and tanks are permanently or detachably aligned in a functional relationship. Various mechanisms may connect the tank to the control body to result in screwing, press fitting, tightening, magnetizing, etc. In some examples, the aerosol delivery device is substantially rod-like, substantially cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical when the tank and control body are assembled in some embodiments. Can be. Other examples include additional shapes and dimensions, such as rectangular or triangular cross sections, polyhedral shapes and the like. The tank and control body may include an integral housing or outer body, or separate housings or outer bodies that may be made of any number of different materials. The housing can be formed of any combination of suitable structurally rigid materials. In some examples, the housing may be made of at least one of metals or alloys such as stainless steel, aluminum and the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (eg polycarbonate), metal plated plastics, glass and the like.

In some embodiments, it may be mentioned that one or both of the control body 102 or tank 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 is disposable or reusable. For example, the controller may have a steel tube rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery, thus connecting to a common AC electrical outlet, connecting to an in-vehicle charger (ie, cigar socket), universal serial bus (USB) It can be combined with any kind of charging technology, including connecting to a computer, such as through a cable or connector. For example, an adapter comprising a USB connector at one end and a controller connector at the other end is disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, in some embodiments, the control body may be connected to a tank comprising a replenishable reservoir therein. The reservoir may be configured to hold the aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the reservoir is specifically formed of a porous material (eg, fibrous material) and may therefore be referred to as a porous substrate (eg, fibrous substrate).

A fibrous substrate useful as a reservoir for an aerosol delivery device can be a woven or non-woven fabric formed of multiple fibers or fine threads, and can be formed of one or both of natural and synthetic fibers. For example, the fibrous substrate may comprise a fibrous glass material. In certain cases, cellulose acetate materials may be used. In other embodiments, carbon materials may be used. The reservoir can be substantially in the form of a container and may contain fibrous material contained therein. In other practices, the reservoir may be made of glass, plastic, or other material not expressly manifested herein.

In one embodiment, the controls 102 and tank 104 forming the aerosol delivery device 100 may be permanently and / or detachably coupled to each other. An example of an aerosol delivery device that can include a first outer body and a second outer body that can be configured to be disposable and / or permanently connected is February 3, 2014. It is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 to Bless et al., Filed in Japan, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In another embodiment, the tank and controller are configured in a single piece, non-detachable form, and may incorporate the components, aspects, and functions disclosed herein. However, in another embodiment, the control body and tank may be configured separably, eg, so that the tank can be replenished or replaced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a more specific example of a suitable aerosol delivery device 200 that may correspond to the aerosol delivery device 100 of FIG. 1 in some embodiments. Looking at the cutouts exemplified here, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body 202 and a tank 204, which may correspond to the control body 102 and the tank 104 of FIG. 1, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 202 includes control components 208 (eg, printed circuit boards (PCBs), integrated circuits, memory components, microprocessors, etc., individually or as part of a microcontroller). It may be formed of a microcontroller outer shell 206 that may include a flow sensor 210, a battery 212, and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 214, such components may be variably aligned. In addition, indicators (eg, tactile feedback components, audio feedback components, etc.) may be included in addition to or in place of the LEDs. Components that provide visual cues or instructions, such as light emitting diode (LED) components, and additional representative types of configurations and their use are described in US Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Springel et al. Disclosures are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 8,539,959 to 8,499,766 and Scatterday, and US Patent Application No. 14 / 173,266 filed on February 5, 2014 to Sears et al., Which are referenced. Is incorporated herein by.

Tank 204 surrounds reservoir 218, which is fluid communication with a liquid transfer element 220 adapted to wick or otherwise transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing. It can be formed in the tank outer shell 216. In some examples, the valve is positioned between the reservoir and the heater and may be configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition that is passed or delivered from the reservoir to the heater.

Various examples of materials configured to generate heat when passed through an electric current can be used to form the heater 222. The heater in these examples can be a resistance heating element such as a coil. Examples of materials from which a coil can be formed include cantal (FeCrAl), nichrome, molybdenum dissilicate (MoSi ₂ ), molybdenum dissilicate (MoSi), and aluminum-doped molybdenum _{dissilicate (Mo (Si, Al) 2).} ), Graphite and graphite base materials (eg, carbon-based foams and fibers) and ceramics (eg, positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Examples of heaters or heating components useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure can be further described below and incorporated into devices such as those illustrated in FIG. 2 described herein.

A mouthpiece 224 with a self-defined opening can be connected to the tank outer shell 216 (eg, at the mouth edge) to allow the aerosol formed from the tank 204 to exit. Such components are representative of the components that may be present in the tank and are not intended to limit the range of tank components that may be included in the present disclosure.

Tank 204 also includes one or more electronic components 226, which may include integrated circuits, memory components, sensors and the like. Electronic components may be adapted to communicate with control components 208 and / or external devices by wire or wireless means. The electronic components can be located anywhere within the tank or its base 228.

The control component 208 includes a plurality of electronic components and, in some examples, may be formed of an electronic or printed circuit board (PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Electronic components may include microprocessors or processor cores, and memory. In some examples, the control component includes a microcontroller with an integrated processor core and memory, which may further include one or more integrated input / output peripherals. In some examples, control components may be linked to a communication interface to allow wireless communication with one or more networks, computing devices or other well-used devices. An example of a suitable communication interface is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 14 / 638,562, filed March 4, 2015, to Marion et al., The content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Also examples of suitable modes in which the aerosol delivery device can be configured to communicate wirelessly are US Patent Application Nos. 14 / 327,776, filed July 10, 2014, and Henry, Jr. et al. To Ampolini et al. Against, disclosed in US Patent Application No. 14 / 609,032, filed January 29, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are illustrated separately, it is understood that the control component and the flow sensor can be combined, such as on a PCB to which the flow sensor can be directly mounted. Further, the PCB can be positioned horizontally with respect to the illustration in FIG. 2, i.e. the PCB can be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the controller. In some examples, the airflow sensor may include its own circuit board or other base element to which it can be mounted. Flexible circuit boards may be utilized in some examples. Flexible circuit boards can be configured in a variety of shapes, including those that are substantially tubular. In some examples, the flexible circuit board may be combined with a heater substrate as described further below, layered on top of it, or formed in part or in whole.

The control body 202 and the tank 204 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid coupling between them. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control body may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 inside. The base 228 of the tank may include a protrusion 234 adapted to engage the coupler and fitted into the cavity. Such engagement can facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the tank and establish an electrical connection between the control body battery 212 and control component 208 and the tank heater 222. In addition, the control body outer shell 206 includes an air intake 236, which can be a notch in the outer shell, which connects to a coupler that allows the passage of air around and into the coupler. The air then passes into the tank through the coupler cavity 232 and the protrusion 234.

The useful couplers and bases according to the present disclosure are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the coupler 230 seen in FIG. 2 may define an outer circumference 238 configured to fit the inner circumference 240 of the base 228. In one example, the inner circumference of the base may define a radius that is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer circumference of the coupler. Further, the coupler may define at the outer circumference one or more protrusions 242 configured to engage one or more recesses 244 defined on the inner circumference of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes and components can be used to connect the base to the coupler. In some examples, the connection between the base of tank 204 and the coupler of control 202 may be substantially permanent, whereas in other examples the connection between them may be, for example, The control body may be removable so that it can be reused with one or more additional tanks that may be disposable and / or refillable.

The reservoir 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be a container or a reservoir, as described below. For example, the reservoir can be substantially formed in the shape of a tube that surrounds the interior of the tank shell 216 in this example. The aerosol precursor composition can be retained in the reservoir. The liquid component may be retained, for example, by a reservoir. The reservoir may be fluid connected to the liquid transfer element 220. The liquid transfer element may transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir via capillary action to the heater 222, which is in the form of a metal wire coil in this example. Thus, the heater is in the liquid transfer element and heating arrangement. Examples of reservoirs and transfer elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described below, such reservoirs and / or transfer elements as illustrated in FIG. 2 described herein. Can be embedded within the device. In particular, certain combinations of heating members and transfer elements can be incorporated within the device as illustrated in FIG. 2 described herein, as further described below.

In use, when the user sucks the aerosol delivery device 200, the airflow is detected by the flow sensor 210 and the heater 222 is activated for the vaporization component of the aerosol precursor composition. Sucking the mouthpiece 224 of the aerosol delivery device causes air to enter the air intake 236 and pass through the central opening of the cavity 232 of the coupler 230 and the protrusion 234 of the base 228. In tank 204, the sucked air mixes with the vapor formed to form the aerosol. The aerosol is expelled, aspirated, or otherwise aspirated from the heater out of the mouthpiece opening of the aerosol delivery device.

The input element 246 may be included in the aerosol delivery device 200. Input elements may be included to allow the user to control the functionality of the device and / or to output information to the user. For example, the user may utilize the input element to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition and / or activate the on / off function. Any component or combination of components can be used as input to control the functionality of the device. For example, one or more pushbuttons may be used as described in US Patent Application No. 14 / 193,961 filed February 28, 2014, against Worm et al. Incorporated into the specification. Similarly, touch screens can be used as described in US Patent Application No. 14 / 643,626, filed March 10, 2015, against Sears et al., Which is hereby referred to herein. Be incorporated. As a further example, components adapted for gesture recognition based on the particular motion of the aerosol delivery device can be used as inputs. See U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 565,137 filed December 9, 2014 against Henry et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, a computing device such as a mobile computer (eg, a smartphone, tablet computer) may be used as an input element in addition to or instead of the input element 246 of the aerosol delivery device itself. In particular, the aerosol delivery device 200 may be wired to a computer or other device, such as via the use of a USB cord or similar protocol. Aerosol delivery devices can also communicate with computers or other devices that act as inputs via wireless communication. For example, via a read request, as described in US Patent Application No. 14 / 327,776, filed July 10, 2014, to Ampolini et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. See Systems and methods for controlling devices. In such practices, application software can be used in connection with computing devices to enter control instructions into aerosol delivery devices, such control instructions, eg, containing nicotine content and / or addition. Includes the ability to form aerosols of a particular composition by selecting the content of the perfume.

In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 200 may include multiple additional hardware implementations or software control functions. For example, an aerosol delivery device may include a battery protection circuit configured to detect a battery input, a load at a battery terminal, and a charge input. Battery protection circuits may include short circuit protection and low voltage lockout. The aerosol delivery device may also include components for ambient temperature measurement, the control element 208 of which the ambient temperature is below a constant temperature (eg, 0 ° C.) or at a constant temperature (eg, 0 ° C.) before or during charging. For example, above 45 ° C.), it may be configured to control at least one function of suppressing battery charging.

The power supply from the battery 212 may vary over the course of each blow in device 200 according to the power control mechanism. The device is at least one such that the control component 208 automatically terminates the blow after a period of time (eg, 4 seconds) in the event that the user or an unintended mechanism causes the device to continuously blow. A "long blow" safety timer may be included to allow control of one functional element. Moreover, the blow time interval in this device can be limited to be shorter than a period of time (eg, 100). If the control element of the aerosol delivery device or the software running on it becomes unstable and does not activate the timer within the appropriate time interval (eg 8 seconds), the monitoring safety timer will automatically reset the aerosol delivery device. obtain. In the event of a defect or otherwise failure of the flow sensor 210, additional safety protection may be provided, such as permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device to prevent unintended heating. In the event of a pressure sensor failure, which causes the device to be continuously activated without stopping after a maximum blow time of 4 seconds, the blow limit switch can disable the device.

The aerosol delivery device 200 may include a blow tracking algorithm configured for heater lockout once a predetermined number of blows has been reached for the attached tank (in light of the tank's e-liquid charge). Based on the calculated number of available blows). In some practices, the blow tracking algorithm indirectly counts the number of blows based on the corresponding number of seconds of blow. In this way, the blow tracking algorithm calculates when a particular number of blows has occurred and then shuts down the device once the number of seconds of blows reaches what is estimated to be a given number of blows. In addition, the number of blown seconds can be counted in an increasing manner. For example, if 3 seconds is defined as equal to one "average" blow, the device is configured to shut down after 200 average blows, and the device will have 600 seconds of blow for tank use. It can be shut down after a lapse of time. The blow tracking algorithm can further estimate the amount of e-liquid used per number of blow seconds and mathematically calculate the amount of e-liquid based at least in part on the corresponding estimate of the number of blow seconds.

Aerosol delivery device 200 includes sleep, standby or low power mode features, which automatically cut off power after a defined period of non-use. Further safety protection may be provided in that the full charge / discharge cycle of the battery 212 can be monitored by the control component 208 over its lifetime. The battery may be declared to have reached the end of its life after reaching the same number of full discharge and full charge cycles a predetermined number of times (eg, 200), and the control component may at least prevent further charging of the battery. One functional element can be controlled.

The various components of the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure can be selected from the components described in the art and the commercially available components. Examples of batteries that can be used in accordance with this disclosure are described in US Patent Publication No. 2010/0028766 to Peckerar et al., Which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The aerosol delivery device 200 may incorporate a sensor 210 or another sensor or detector for controlling the supply of power to the heater 222 when aerosol generation is desired (eg, during inhalation in use). Thus, for example, the heater is powered off when the aerosol delivery device is not sucked during use, and turned on to drive or trigger heat generation by the heater while sucked. A style or method for making an aerosol is provided. Additional representative types of detection or detection mechanisms, their structures and configurations, their components, and general methods of their operation are described in US Pat. No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., US Pat. No. 5,261,424 to McCafferty et al. 5,372,148, and PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO2010 / 03480 for Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The aerosol delivery device 200 most preferably incorporates a power control component 208 or another control mechanism for controlling the amount of power to the heater 222 while being sucked. Representative types of electronic components, their structures and configurations, their characteristics, and common methods of their operation are described in US Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al. And US Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al. No. 5, US Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., US Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Freischauer et al., US Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., US Pat. No. 8,205 to Pan, 622, US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0230117 to Fernando et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0060554 to Collet et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/02707727 to Ampolini et al., And March 13, 2014. It is described in US Patent Application No. 14 / 209,191 to Henry et al., All of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Representative types of substrates, reservoirs or other components for supporting the aerosol precursor composition are U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261487, 2013 to Chapman et al. Described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/011,992 to Davis et al., Filed August 28, 2014, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 170,838 to Bress et al., Filing February 3, 2014. All of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In addition, the various wicking materials in certain types of e-cigarettes, as well as the composition and operation of these wicking materials, are clarified in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0209105 to Sears et al., Which is by reference. The whole is incorporated herein.

For aerosol delivery systems characterized as e-cigarettes, aerosol precursor compositions most preferably incorporate tobacco or tobacco-derived components. In one context, tobacco may be provided as part or portion of tobacco, such as crushed, milled or powdered tobacco lamina. In another relationship, tobacco can be provided in the form of extracts such as spray-dried extracts that incorporate many of the water-soluble components of tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco extract may have a relatively high nicotine-containing extract form, which also incorporates a small amount of other extracted tobacco-derived components. In another relationship, the tobacco-derived component may be provided in a relatively pure form, such as certain tobacco-derived flavors. In one context, a tobacco-derived ingredient, and an ingredient that can be used in high-purity or essentially pure form, is nicotine (eg, pharmaceutical grade nicotine).

Aerosol precursor compositions, also referred to as vapor precursor compositions, include, for example, polyhydric alcohols (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extracts, and / or flavor materials. Can have the ingredients of. The various components that may be included in the aerosol precursor composition are described in US Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additional representative types of aerosol precursor compositions are US Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabauch, Jr et al., US Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., US Pat. No. 6, to Biggs et al. 779,531, US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0008457 for Zheng et al., And Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Precursors that Heat Institute of Burn Tobacco, R. et al. J. Revealed in Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Typical types of aerosol precursor components and formulations are also U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,217,320 to Robinson et al., 2013/0213417 to Chong et al., 2014/0060554 to Collett et al., 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., And Coller. Developed and characterized in 2015/0020830, and WO 2014/182736 to Bowen et al., These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include R. et al. J. Aerosols incorporating VUSE® products from Reynolds Vapor Company, BLU® products from Lorillard Technologies, MISTIC MENTHOL products from Mistic Ecigs, and VYPE products from CN Creative Ltd. Also desirable is what is called "smoke juice" for e-cigarettes, which is available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

The amount of aerosol precursor incorporated into the aerosol delivery system provides an acceptable sensation and desired performance characteristics of the aerosol generating portion. For example, it is very likely that a sufficient amount of aerosol-forming material (eg, glycerin and / or propylene glycol) is used to provide a visible mainstream aerosol generation that is in many respects similar to the appearance of cigarette smoke. Is preferable. The amount of aerosol precursor in the aerosol generation system may depend on factors such as the desired number of blows per aerosol generation portion. In general, the amount of aerosol precursor incorporated in an aerosol delivery system, especially in an aerosol generating moiety, is less than about 2 g, generally less than about 1.5 g, often less than about 1 g, often less than about 0.5 g.

Additional representative types of components that provide visual cues or instructions, such as LEDs and related components, auditory elements (eg, speakers), vibrating elements (eg, vibrating motors), etc., are the aerosol delivery device 200. Can be used in. Suitable LED components, as well as examples of their configuration and use, are described in US Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Springel et al., US Pat. No. 8,499,766 to Newton, and US Pat. No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday. No., and US Patent Application No. 14 / 173,266 to Sears et al., Filed on February 5, 2014, are described, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Yet another feature, control, or component that may be incorporated within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure is US Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., US Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., US Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., US Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Freischauer et al., US Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, US Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. , US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0016550 for Katase, US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0163063 for Fernando et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 for Tucker et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0298905 for Leven et al. No., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0185053 to Kim et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., And U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 to DePiano et al. As described in 2014/0261408, all of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As mentioned above, the tank 204 may be formed by a tank shell 216 that internally surrounds the reservoir 218. In some embodiments, the reservoir can be a replenishable reservoir and a container of aerosol precursor composition can be provided to replenish the reservoir. The tank and container are removable and hermetically connectable to each other, so that the sealed connection between the tank and the container secures the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition between the container and the aerosol delivery device. Can be configured to enable.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a container 300 of an aerosol precursor composition according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the vessel includes a vessel shell 302 that may include a reservoir 304 that is configured to contain the aerosol precursor composition, and a cap 306 that may be configured to cover the passage to the reservoir. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates container shells and caps connected to each other. The outer shell and cap of the container may be detachably connected to each other. Various mechanisms may connect the outer shell of the vessel to the cap as a result, resulting in screwing, press fitting, tightening, magnetizing, etc. In some examples, the container can be substantially rod-like, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. Other examples include additional shapes and dimensions, such as rectangular or triangular cross sections, polyhedral shapes and the like.

The container 300 can be made of any number of different materials. The container shell 302 and cap 306 can be made of any combination of suitable structurally rigid materials and can be made of the same or different materials. In some examples, the outer shell and cap of the container may be made of at least one of a metal or alloy such as stainless steel, aluminum. Other suitable materials include various plastics (eg polycarbonate), metal plated plastics, glass and the like.

4A and 4B (collectively FIG. 4) exemplify a portion of tank 400 of an aerosol delivery device that may correspond to tank 104 of FIG. 1 (which may be an example of tank 204 of FIG. 2) in some examples. As shown, the tank includes a tank shell 402, a reservoir 404, a heater 406 and a mouthpiece 408, which are the tank shell 216, reservoir 218, heater 222 and mouthpiece 224 of tank 204 in FIG. Can correspond to each one of. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the mouthpiece 408 is connected to the outer shell (housing) of the tank and is a container (eg, eg) of the aerosol precursor composition for safely refilling the reservoir with the aerosol precursor composition. , Can be removably coupled to the tank 400 on an adapter 410 (aerosol delivery device adapter) that is removable and hermetically connectable to the container 300). In this regard, the mouthpiece can be detachably coupled to the tank shell (housing) and / or to an aerosol delivery device adapter that is also coupled to the tank shell. As shown between FIGS. 4A and 4B, the mouthpiece can be positioned on the aerosol delivery device adapter so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the mouthpiece. In some examples, the mouthpiece can be a removable mouthpiece that includes two tabs 408a, 408b, and pressing these two tabs at the same time causes the removable mouthpiece to rotate, thereby removing the mouthpiece. Allow the mouthpiece to come off the outer shell of the tank.

The aerosol delivery device adapter 410 may be removable and hermetically connectable to a suitable container (eg, container 300) of the aerosol precursor composition in any number of different modes. 5A and 5B (collectively FIG. 5) illustrate a portion of tank 500 that is similar to tank 400 in FIG. 4 (and may correspond to tanks 104 and 204), but in some examples aerosol delivery in FIG. Further highlighting is an example of a suitable aerosol delivery device adapter 510 that may correspond to the device adapter 410. The tank 500 of FIG. 5 may include a tank shell 502, a reservoir 504 and a heater 506, which may correspond to one of each of the tank shell 402, the reservoir 404 and the heater 406 of the tank 400 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 may include a body 512 having an internally defined filling port 514 and separate separate airflow ports 516. As used herein, a port can mean a narrow, long passage through which liquids, air, etc. can be transferred. As illustrated, in one embodiment, the port may be substantially cylindrical to allow smooth transfer of liquid and / or air. In other embodiments, additional shapes and dimensions, such as rectangular or triangular cross sections, polyhedral shapes, etc., may be included.

The filling port 514 may be for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container (eg, container 300) into the reservoir 504 of the aerosol delivery device tank 500 during engagement of the aerosol delivery device adapter with the container. .. The airflow port 516 may be for the flow of air through at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device housing when the aerosol delivery device adapter and container are disengaged, such as during use of the aerosol delivery device.

As mentioned above, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 may be positioned under the mouthpiece (eg, mouthpiece 408) of the aerosol delivery device, which is the aerosol delivery device upon removal of the mouthpiece. It may be detachably coupled to the aerosol delivery device so that the adapter is exposed. In some examples, the body 512 of the aerosol delivery device adapter may include an adapter protrusion 518 where the airflow port 516 can be defined. The adapter protrusion may be positioned under the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is attached to the aerosol delivery device. Upon removal of the mouthpiece to replenish the reservoir 504, the adapter protrusion may be directly engaged with at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition vessel such that the aerosol delivery device and the vessel fit together.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cut-out view of the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 of FIG. As shown, the aerosol delivery device adapter may further include a check valve 520 coupled to the filling port 514. The check valve may allow the aerosol precursor composition to be transferred from the aerosol precursor composition container into the reservoir 504. In particular, the check valve limits the aerosol precursor composition from flowing out of the reservoir into the filling port. In this scheme, the aerosol precursor composition may only enter the filling port in one direction. The aerosol delivery device adapter may also include a seal 522 between the aerosol delivery device adapter and the tank shell 502 to seal the connection between the base of the adapter and the opening in the tank shell. The seal can be formed of any combination of suitable structurally rigid materials. In some examples, the seal may be formed of at least one of a gasket material, an elastomer material, and the like.

FIG. 7A illustrates a container 700 of an aerosol precursor composition that may correspond to the container 300 of FIG. 3 in some examples. The container includes a container shell 702 (eg, container shell 302) that may include a reservoir 704 (eg, container reservoir 304) configured to contain the aerosol precursor composition. The container illustrated in FIG. 7A further highlights the adapter 706 (container adapter) for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from within the container, exemplified in FIG. 7B. The container adapter may be connected to the opening in the outer shell of the container. In this way, the container adapter can be shaped and sized to fit the opening in the outer shell of the container. The container adapter may be configured to be removable and hermetically connectable to an aerosol delivery device (eg, aerosol delivery devices 100, 200) to fill the aerosol delivery device with the aerosol precursor composition. As shown in FIG. 7B, the container adapter may include a valve 708 for engaging the aerosol delivery device, more specifically for engaging the aerosol delivery device adapter during filling of the aerosol delivery device. ..

8A and 8B exemplify a partial cut-out view of the container adapter 706 of FIGS. 7A and 7B (collectively, FIG. 7). As shown, the valve 708 may be defined by a push-down body that includes a first valve member 802a and a second valve member 802b. The first valve member can open and close the passage 804 to the aerosol precursor composition stored in the container. In particular, the first valve member includes a protrusion that is sized to fit in the aisle and / or engage in a sealed engagement, whereby the valve is not pushed down during engagement with the aerosol delivery device. Limit the release of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir when.

The second valve member may close the airflow port (eg, airflow port 516) of the aerosol delivery device when the valve is depressed during engagement with the aerosol delivery device. The vessel adapter 706 may include a nozzle 806 with an internally defined cavity 808, and at least a portion of the valve 708 may be movably positioned within the cavity. The cavity can be sized to receive at least a portion of the first valve member when the aerosol delivery device adapter and the container adapter are disengaged. The nozzle may include a spout 810 for transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the reservoir, which may extend from the aisle.

The adapter 706 may further include a nozzle housing 812 configured to engage the nozzle 806, the nozzle housing 812 of the valve 708 internally so that the valve is movably positioned between the nozzle and the nozzle housing. At least a part can be stored. The nozzle housing may be connected to the valve via a spring 814, which may be configured to compress when the valve is depressed and extend when the valve is not depressed. The spring may be located within the spring cavity 816a of the nozzle and the spring cavity 816b of the nozzle housing. The nozzle may be positioned on the valve within at least a portion of the nozzle housing so that a sealed connection is provided between the nozzle and the nozzle housing.

9 and 10 illustrate bottom perspective views of the container adapter 706 of FIGS. 7A-8B. As shown in FIG. 9, the nozzle housing 812 may define one or more liquid ports 902 to allow the aerosol precursor composition to pass from the container reservoir through the bottom of the nozzle. The base of the valve is shaped to allow fluid coupling between the reservoir of the vessel (eg, vessel reservoir 704) and the interior of the nozzle so that the aerosol precursor composition passes from the vessel reservoir through the bottom of the nozzle. Can be done. As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the base of valve 708 may be cross-shaped to allow passage of the aerosol precursor composition throughout the cavity 808 of nozzle 806.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of a container 1100 for filling an aerosol delivery device, which may be an example of the container 300 of FIG. The vessel may include and / or be coupled to the vessel adapter 706 of FIG. 7, which includes a nozzle 806, a valve 708, a nozzle housing 812, and a spring 814. The nozzle housing 812 may be connected to the opening of the container housing. The outside of the nozzle and nozzle housing may be threaded to allow a secure and sealed connection between the container and the adapter. In some practices, nozzles and nozzle housings can be threaded using ego and / or "510" thread patterns.

In some embodiments, the container 1100 may include a cap 1112 (eg, cap 304). The cap may be detachably coupled to the container housing and positioned on the container adapter so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the cap. In one embodiment, the cap can be a detachable cap that includes two tabs, allowing the detachable cap to rotate by pressing these two tabs at the same time, thereby from the container housing. Allows its removal. In other embodiments, the cap may be a removable cap configured to be removed from the housing via one or more other reliable removal methods not expressly discussed herein. For example, the cap may be configured to simultaneously apply downward pressure and be removed from the container housing in response to rotating the cap counterclockwise.

FIG. 12 illustrates a liquid containment system 1200 for replenishing an aerosol delivery device comprising a portion of a tank 500 having an aerosol delivery device adapter 510 on its surface and a container of an aerosol precursor composition 700 having a container adapter 706 on its surface. To do. In such an implementation, the liquid containment system allows the safe transfer of the aerosol precursor composition between the container and the aerosol delivery device by creating a sealable connection between the two adapters 510, 706. Can be configured as Adapters can be sized and shaped to be configured so that they fit together. In one embodiment, the adapters may be further configured to fit together based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

13A and 13B further illustrate the liquid containment system 1200 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13A, the aerosol precursor composition may be restricted from being transferred until the adapters 510, 706 are fully engaged with each other. Full engagement between the adapters can mean an effective connection that allows the passage of the aerosol precursor composition from the container to the aerosol delivery device. As shown in FIG. 13B, upon full engagement of the adapter, the aerosol precursor composition can be safely transferred from the container to the aerosol delivery device through one or more ports and / or passages 514,804. A sealable connection can be formed between the aerosol delivery device and the container 700.

In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 may be configured to engage valve 708 of the container adapter 706 during filling of the aerosol delivery device tank reservoir 504. The filling port 514 may be configured to transfer the aerosol precursor composition received from the container 700 into the reservoir of the aerosol delivery device tank during engagement of the aerosol delivery device adapter with the valve. The filling port 514 may be sized to receive the spout 810 when the aerosol delivery device adapter and valve are fully engaged.

During engagement of the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 for refilling the reservoir with the container adapter 706, the airflow port 516 may be closed to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. As mentioned above, the airflow port can be closed by the valve 708 of the container adapter during engagement of the aerosol delivery device with the container adapter. In particular, the airflow port may define an inner cavity sized to internally accept at least a compatible portion of the second valve member 802b of the valve. The second valve member may engage and close the airflow port when the valve body is pushed down.

In an embodiment, the aerosol delivery device adapter 510 and the container adapter 706 may include one or more connecting mechanisms. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the aerosol delivery device adapter may include a slot 524 that can be fitted with a matching tab 818 of the container 700 to align the aerosol delivery device adapter with the container for connection with the container. .. In particular, the tabs may align the filling port 514 with the spout 810 to ensure proper engagement between the respective adapters. Similarly, the second valve member 802b may include a matable slot 820 with a compatible tab 818 so that the valve 708 can be misalignably positioned within the valve cavity 808 around the tab. The cavity 808 of the container adapter may be sized to receive the aerosol delivery device adapter protrusion 518 when the aerosol delivery device adapter and the container adapter are engaged.

The aerosol delivery device adapter may further include one or more seals 526a, 526b to ensure the connection between the aerosol delivery device adapter and the container adapter. In particular, the first seal 526a may be positioned around the adapter to provide a seal between the nozzle cavity 822 and the aerosol delivery device adapter during engagement with the container adapter. Similarly, the second seal 526b may be positioned around the adapter (below slot 524) to provide a seal between the valve cavity 808 and the aerosol delivery device adapter during engagement with the container adapter. ..

FIG. 14 illustrates various operations in method 1400 for implementing a replenishable aerosol delivery device and a liquid containment system for use according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in block 1402, the method may include connecting the adapter of the aerosol delivery device to the corresponding adapter of the aerosol precursor composition container in a removable and sealable manner, the adapter being the valve of the corresponding adapter. Can be engaged with. The adapter may include a body that defines a separate, separate filled airflow port, which is configured to transfer the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device during the engagement of the adapter and valve. obtain. The airflow port can be closed by a valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. The airflow port may also be configured to allow airflow through at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disengaged. As shown in block 1404, the method may also include transferring the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device.

The above description of the use of the article may be applied to the various embodiments described herein through minor modifications, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. obtain. The above description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the article and is provided in accordance with all the requirements of the disclosure of this disclosure. Any element shown or separately described in the articles exemplified in FIGS. 1-13B may be included in the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

Many changes and other implementations of the disclosures revealed herein will be conceived by those skilled in the art to which these disclosures belong and will benefit from the teachings presented in the above description and related drawings. For this reason, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular practice disclosed, but that other practices are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. .. Further, the above description and related drawings have described examples in the context of certain combinations of elements and / or functions, but different combinations of elements and / or functions are within the scope of the appended claims. It should be acknowledged that it can be provided by alternative practices that do not deviate. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions as compared to those explicitly described above are also considered as being apparent in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a comprehensive and descriptive sense and are not for limited purposes.

Claims (19)

Aerosol delivery device
With a housing defining a refillable reservoir for storing the aerosol precursor composition,
A heating element housed in the housing and configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition in response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the housing to form an aerosol. Because of the heating element, the air can be combined with the vapor formed thereby,
An adapter that is coupled to the housing and removably and hermetically connectable to a container for refilling the aerosol precursor composition into the reservoir, the adapter with a valve of the container during refilling of the reservoir. The adapter is configured to engage and includes a separate body that defines a separate filling port and an airflow port, which prevents the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. The airflow port is closed by the valve for the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container during engagement with the valve into the reservoir, wherein the airflow port is said to be said. An aerosol delivery device comprising an adapter, which is for the flow of air through at least the portion of the housing when the adapter and the valve are disengaged. The valve includes a push-down valve body including a first valve member and a second valve member, and when the valve body is pushed down, the first valve member is an aerosol precursor in the container. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the second valve member is for opening a passage to the composition and for closing the airflow port. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the airflow port defines an inner cavity sized to internally receive at least a conforming portion of the second valve member. The body includes an adapter protrusion that defines the airflow port, the container contains a nozzle in which the valve is movably positioned, and the nozzle is when the adapter and the valve are disengaged. the even without least the valve to receive a portion therein, and includes a sized cavities to receive the adapter protrusion therein when said said adapter valve is engaged, claim 1 The aerosol delivery device described in. The nozzle comprises a spout for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the reservoir, and the filling port receives the spout when the adapter and the valve are engaged. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, which is sized to. The aerosol delivery according to claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a check valve coupled to the filling port and configured to allow the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container into the reservoir. device. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece that is detachably coupled to the housing on the adapter so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the mouthpiece. .. The mouthpiece is a detachable mouthpiece comprising two tabs, which allows the detachable mouthpiece to rotate by pressing the two tabs at the same time, thereby disengaging from the housing. 7. The aerosol delivery device according to 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a slot that can be fitted with a compatible tab of the container so that the adapter is aligned with the container for connection with the container. A container for refilling aerosol delivery devices
A housing that defines a reservoir for storing the aerosol precursor composition, and
An adapter that is coupled to the housing and detachably and hermetically connectable to the aerosol delivery device so as to allow the aerosol delivery device to be replenished with the aerosol precursor composition. The aerosol delivery device includes separate valves and airflow ports that are configured to engage the aerosol delivery device during replenishment of the aerosol delivery device, and the fill port is the aerosol. The aerosol into the aerosol delivery device from the reservoir during engagement of the valve with the aerosol delivery device, the airflow port being closed by the valve to prevent the precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. is intended for transport of the precursor composition, wherein the air flow port, the valve and the and the aerosol delivery device of the flow of air through the least one part also of the aerosol delivery device when it is disengaged With an adapter, which is for
The valve includes a push-down valve body including a first valve member and a second valve member, and when the valve body is pushed down, the first valve member causes an aerosol precursor in the reservoir. A container for opening a passage to the composition, wherein the second valve member is for closing the airflow port. The airflow port defines an inner cavity, the second valve member comprises a conforming portion, and the inner cavity is sized to internally receive at least the conforming portion of the second valve member. The container according to claim 10. The aerosol delivery device includes an adapter protrusion that defines the airflow port, the container includes a nozzle in which the valve is movably positioned, and the nozzle engages the adapter with the aerosol delivery device. even without least of the valve when it is released to receive a portion therein, and said adapter and said aerosol delivery device is sized to receive the adapter protrusion therein when engaged cavity 10. The container according to claim 10. The nozzle comprises a spout for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir into the aerosol delivery device, and the filling port receives the spout when the adapter and the valve are engaged. 12. The container according to claim 12, which is sized to do so. 12. The container of claim 12, wherein the nozzle defines one or more liquid ports configured to allow the transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir into the aerosol delivery device. 10. The container of claim 10, further comprising a cap that is detachably connected to the housing on the adapter so that the adapter is exposed upon removal of the cap. 15. A removal-resistant cap comprising two tabs, wherein pressing the two tabs at the same time causes the removal-resistant cap to rotate, thereby allowing its removal from the housing. The container described. 10. The adapter of claim 10, further comprising a tab that can be fitted with a compatible slot of the aerosol delivery device so that the adapter is aligned with the aerosol delivery device for connection with the aerosol delivery device. container. A method for implementing a refillable aerosol delivery device and a liquid containment system for use.
The adapter of the aerosol delivery device is detachably and hermetically connected to the corresponding adapter of the container for replenishing the aerosol delivery device with the aerosol precursor composition, wherein the adapter is of the corresponding adapter. Engaging with the valve, the adapter comprises a body that defines a separate, separate filled airflow port, which fills the airflow to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port. The port is closed by the valve for transfer of the aerosol precursor composition from the container during engagement with the valve into the aerosol delivery device, the airflow port with the adapter. and said valve is for flow of air through the least one part also of the aerosol delivery device when it is disengaged, and the connecting,
A method comprising transferring an aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device. The valve includes a valve body that is pushed down when the adapter is connected to the corresponding adapter, the valve body includes a first valve member and a second valve member, and the valve body is pushed down. 18. The method of claim 18, wherein the first valve member sometimes opens a passage to the aerosol precursor composition in the container and the second valve member closes the airflow port.

Images